I’m starting to wonder if it’s time to shed the “conservative” label. We’re not conservatives — we’re radicals. We’re advocating ideals of freedom that no country — not even the U.S. — has ever fully embraced. It’s not something old we want, it’s something new that’s never quite existed before. Who are “conservative” are those trying to uphold the horrible status quo we have, i.e., those who voted for Obama and the Democrats in this last election. They’re not going anywhere new or grand, they’re just puttering around in this downward spiral we’re in.
Now the left have pretty much abandoned the word liberal as they basically turned it into a swear word by being associated with them. Let’s take it back. I always preferred the term “classical liberal” as we’re trying to change things based on not just any moron new idea but on the original liberal idea: freedom. And it is still very scary for most people. They can’t stand the idea of regular citizens having guns. They fear the idea of the economy not being controlled. And they’re terrified of having to fend for themselves and not having the false promises of government entitlements. But we have our radical, crazy idea that freedom is the best way, and we will continue to fight for it. When fearful people try to make us more like failing Europe, we will continue to pave out our own new and unique way.
We’re the liberals here, and it’s time we embraced that.
Amen. Freedom for everyone. All colors. All religions. All income levels. Without the government suppressing the freedom of any one group for the benefit of another group. ‘Tis a dream worth pursuing.
100% total agreement on that one. I’ve long wondered how any group who’s constantly trying to force people to accept being told what they can and can’t eat, where they can and can’t live, when they can or can’t spend their money, whether they can or can’t work and how much they can or can’t make, gets the brass cahones to call themselves liberal…
That’s fine. I don’t care what we’re called as long as we get rid of the current “Republican” leadership.
And I was just getting use to being called a racist.
Radical, hmmm….Okay, I’m in. Just one question: how do you get dreadlocks? is there like a product you use or do you just stop washing your hair? Will it still work if my hair is grey and thinning a bit on top ’cause I wouldn’t want to look like some weirdo.
Sorry, Frank, any time I hear the word “liberal” it drives me into a blind rage and makes me want to murder someone. If anybody called me a liberal I don’t think I’d be able to resist the immediate impulse to punch them in the face.
I think we should leave the democrats to be the party that’s always trying to change the definition of words. “Liberal” is too damaged a brand to try to retake. We ought to just focus on redefining “conservative” instead to actually be in support of freedom.
Been looking for the liberals who promote liberty. Turns out I was one the whole time.
Hmmmm, do I hear the echoes of Ron Paul? I agree with FrankJ, I am not a conservative. There is nothing about this country I want to conserve. I will refer to myself as a libertarian, or a refreshist. I wish to refresh what our founding FATHERS envisioned. Those first collaborators of these United States had an idea for a fram of government that allowed 13 countries to speak with a single voice. The citizens of the several countries were never meant to be slaves to the state, but partners in a common endeavor. Those countries that came after asked to be part of the great experiment. Alas, after we were conned into helping the world in WW2, we lost our way and the experiment has failed. Those that wished to preserve our heritage, culture, and traditions have lost. We should pop the corn and sit back and watch the amoral wither and cease. It will not matter what we call ourselves, we are better than they are and we will be back.
We’re advocating ideals of freedom that no country — not even the U.S. — has ever fully embraced. It’s not something old we want, it’s something new that’s never quite existed before.
What does “fully embraced” mean, Frank? Is that something like “perfection”? I think the best we can do is move in the right direction. Regarding slavery, for example, statism forcefully protected slavery while classical liberalism voluntarily tore it down. As it always does.
I think it is important that we’re not going for something new and untested. We want to apply principles of liberty that actually have a frickin’ magnificent track record for creating human prosperity.
The moment that “classical liberal” had to be invented because “liberal” came to mean statism — the exact opposite of what it originally meant — was the moment we lost the name game. If there were any justice in semantics, we’d not only win back “liberal” but also “progressive”, since statism is certainly regressive.
But since we don’t take joy in sowing confusion, perhaps we’re better off embracing “libertarian”.
I see what you did there.
OK, I’m in.
Shame though, it used to be sufficient to just say, “I’m an American!” and that was enough.